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Author Etiquette for Contacting Book Bloggers

It feels a little weird reblogging a post from one blog to the other, but since Authors to Watch is THE place where I interview authors and feature books, it's probably fitting.

When I wrote this post, it wasn't aimed toward any specific author. Before (and since) writing this post, there have been many times I've wished authors would read this post before contacting me. The following DOs and DON'Ts are not a list of demands or a list of expectations. If anything, it's a wishlist. Every blogger is different. Some have very few rules; others are very specific in what they will or will not allow. I'm pretty flexible, as most authors who have appeared on this blog will tell you. I sometimes regret my flexibility.

As a blogger, I appreciate the authors who contact me. I know how hard these authors have worked on their books, and it's a pleasure to provide a platform for them to display their works of art. As a blogger, I spend a great deal of time carefully formatting each interview and book feature. I try to create a post the author will be proud to share with friends and fans. As a blogger, I try to accommodate nearly every request I receive, but as an author, a mom, a wife, a friend, and an employee, I don't have the time to do everything authors ask me to do.

When authors don't read the FAQs on my "About" page, it's obvious, especially when they ask me to review a book. I truly wish I could accept these requests, but I can't. I've had to limit my reviews to the very occasional blog tour or to books I've bought. It hurts to have to turn people away or to tell them no. I hate it. I wish authors wouldn't put me in the position to have to reject them. Authors face enough rejection - from agents, publishers, reviewers. I hate to be the one to dish it out.

Authors, please read my "About" page before contacting me. Please don't put me in a position where I have to reject your requests. When you ask me to review your book, you're asking me to make a special exception for you. It may not seem that way, but you're asking me to choose between my family time and your book. Or to choose between my own writing time and your book.

I want to thank every single author who has been interviewed on this blog. I also want to thank the authors, bloggers, and readers who share and reblog the posts and help spread the word about the authors featured here. Authors to Watch has been around for over three years and I hope it will continue for many years to come.